Matheus Cunha “surfed” after scoring in the World Cup. Photo: @cunha//screenshot
Brazilian soccer star Matheus Cunha brought his love of surfing to one of the world’s largest sporting stages. The Manchester United forward and member of Brazil’s national team scored two goals in Brazil’s 3-0 win against Haiti last week. He celebrated the goals with his trademark surfing stance on the pitch — paddling into a wave and balancing on a board.
He posted the celebration on his Instagram page, adding a surfing emoji in case you were unsure what sport he was acting out. His teammates joined in with their surfing stances, as the 27-year-old has become known for surfing after he scores a goal.
@foxsports The surfer celly is ELITE 🏄♂️🇧🇷 #cunha #brazil #fifaworldcup ♬ original sound – FOX Sports
The Instagram post drew comments from Brazilian surfers like Italo Ferreira, Joao Chianca, Pedro Scooby, and Jadson Andre.
Cunha is from the city of Joao Pessoa in the northeast of Brazil, but he learned to surf nearby in Baia Formosa, the hometown of Ferreira. The duo, both goofy-footers, have shared waves before, including a session at a standing wave. Cunha has also been spotted surfing in the ocean, too, going backside on a right point break.
“Surfing has become a big part of my life, a way to relax,” Cunha told FIFA. “I’m very good friends with Italo. Surfing has become a part of my routine. I’d say I spend just as much time following surfing as I do football.”
While Manchester may not offer too many opportunities to keep up his surfing, the surfer in him hasn’t disappeared. If Brazil wins the World Cup, don’t be surprised if we see Cunha celebrating with some real surfing back home in Brazil.
View this post on Instagram
